Mechanism for automatically operating apparatus at a predetermined time



M. COLEMAN. MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING APPARATUS AT A'PREDETERMINED TIME.

- 'AP P LICATION FILED SEPT-ZI IBZO.

Patented J1me 14, 1921.

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M. COLEMAN.

MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING APPARATUS AT A PBEDETERMINED TIME. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-2|, I920.

. 1,381,543. PatentedJune 14, 1921.

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J72 z/@%071' War goz'ewaaw MAX COLEMAN, OF

MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING APPAR MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

ATUS AT A PREDETERMINED TIME.

' Application filed September T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MAX COLEMAN, a subject of the King of Great Britaim residing at Cromwell Buildings, corner of Bourke and Elizabeth streets, Melbourne, in the State of Victoria, in the Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Automatically Operating Apparatus at a Predetermined Tiine; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has been devised to provide mechanism for automatically operating apparatus at a pie-determined time. I shall describe and illustrate its use as applied to the switching on or off at a predetermined time of a double pole switch whereby the supply of electric current to lamps or the like will be automatically controlled; as an example I may mention the illumination of a shop window which it is desired to maintain after closing hours. The mechanism hereinafter described willbe set to operate at the distributing board within the shop at a pre-determined time to extinguish the lights within the window simultaneously cut ting off the current from the distributing center obviating any danger likely to arise from fusing of the wires between the board and the lamps.

In order that my invention may be the more easily understood reference may be made to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a double pole main switch, the mechanism hereinafter described being shown in a normal or non-set position.

F ig.2 is a side view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of line 1-2 of Fig. 2 looking toward the front of the casing hereinafter referred to.

Fig. 4 illustrates a slotted cylinder within which is mounted, as hereinafter described an actuating rod or trigger hereinafter termed the cut off rod or trigger.

Fig. 5 illustrates a bracket or hearing for supporting such cylinder.

Fig. 6 also shows a slotted cylinder the configuration of the slot being arranged so that the rod or trigger will make the re- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 14, 1921.

21, 1920. Serial No. 411,796.

quired movement when switching on the electric current.

Fig. illustrates a similar bracket to that shown in Fig. 5 with the addition of insertion holes for regulating the tension or rotary movement of the respective actuatlligllOCl or trigger.

big. 8 shows an actuating rod or trigger hereinafter described.

F 9 is a plan View of same.

Fig. 10 illustrates a second actuating rod or trigger hereinafter referred to. i

Fig. 11 shows one form of spring preferably employed with the mechanism while Fig. 12 illustrates a curved strikin rod hereinafter referred to. b

In the accompanying drawings a is an ordinary double-pole main switch to the side of which is secured a bracket a supporting a casing Z) in this instance divided into twc compartments 6' and IF. In front of each compar ment and fitting into the wall 6 w th openings 5* are cylinders cc each being supported by a flat bracket a secured respectively to t 1e upper and lower portions of the casing b. Each bracket is provided with an extension piece a forming a closure for each end of the respective cylinder and also forming a bearing for a verticallv mounted actuating rod or trigger (Z with a curved and bent top d forming' a striker engaging when required the handle (Z of the switch. The necessary movement is imparted to rod d by a left-handed coil spring 62 disposed within the cylinder and encircling the actuating rod or trigger (Z the latter having a director transverse pin a from which the spring is suspended by the hook 6 The end a of the pin 6 projects outwardly for some distance to form a stopper against the spring 0 becoming disengaged from the pin 6 when compression is applied to the spring 6 whose pointed end 6 is inserted in one of the holes 6 of the extension piece. This permits the tension of the spring a being regulated according to the actuating power and rotary movement required to be applied to the respective actuating rod or trigger.

Each cylinder is provided with a particular shaped slot in which the pin 6 travels. The cylinder illustrated in Fig. 6 has a slot f arranged to permit the raising of the handle d of the switch a for switchin on purposes. The pin 6 in this instance is held in the bite it against the compression of the spring a. As the curved striker 2' makes its rotary movement it forces the pin 6 for wa-rdly, simultaneously out of engagement with the said bite; now being free the pin 8 is carried by the compression of the spring 6 downwardly and through the opening b" in the wall 6 and simultaneously the rod or trigger (Z makes a rotary movement during which the under portion comes into contact with the handle (Z of the switch a forcing it downwardly making contact and switching on the light. The configuration of the slot y illustrated in Fig. l is such that the actuating rod or trigger (Z when released is caused to move vertically, at the same time catch the switch handle 6Z2 lowering it during the continuous vertical movement. During such action a rotary movement is also imparted to said actuating rod or trigger cl the extent of the movement being adjusted as before stated to allow it to become disengaged from the handle d as it reaches its limit of movement. The actuating mechanism preferably consists of any suitable clockwork. Prefera employ an ordinary alarm clocl: Z which is disposed within its respective com mrtment in. such manner as to allow; the curved striker i lfig. 12) to strike its respective pin c when required, such striker 2' being in the form of an extension piece and will be attached to the ordinary revolving alarm winding spindle (not shown) of the clock which will be set in the usual manner to operate at a pre-determined time. The mechanism is set for operation by applying hand pressure on the respective actuating rod or trigger (Z in the required vertical direction. This action cons presses the spring 0 the tension of which when released in the manner before stated actuates the rod or trigger d as required.

I would have it understood that I do not arbit'arily confine myself to the hereinbefore mentioned arrangement of parts as V gitudinally,

same may be modified or amplified to suit local requirements nor do Iconfine myself to any particular apparatus in which the mechanism may actuate as the field includes various descriptions of mechanisms which may be operated at a pre-determined time.

I would also have it understood that I do not confine myself to the employment of both on and off mechanisms as they may be used singly as in manyinstances it may be desired to use only the cutting off mechanism or vice versa. 7

I claim 1. In mechanism for automatically operating apparatus at a predetermined time, a slotted cylinder, a trigger-rod disposed within the cylinder and having a lateral projection engaging the slot of the cylinder, and aspring for actuating said rod longitudinally, the slot in the cylinder having a .configuration to coact with the lateral projection of said rod, to turn the rod on'its axis as it moves longitudinally. v

2. The combination with a clock mechanism having a projection constructed and arranged to be moved at a predetermined time, of a'slotted cylinder, a trigger-rod disposed within the cylinder, and havin r a lateral projection engaging the slot of the cylinder, a spring for actuating said rod lonthe slot in the cylinder having a configuration to coact with the lateral' projection of the rod, to turn the rod on its axis as it moves longitudinally, and said slot having another portion to engage said lateral projection to hold the rod against the action of the spring until released by the projection of the clock mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MAX COLEMAN.

Witnesses:

AUGUSTINE THOMAS MADDEN, DULom WINDRIDGE. 

